Summary
- Elden Ring Nightreign adds a new twist to the classic Souls-like bloodstain mechanic.
- Instead of simply showing how a player died, bloodstains now let players loot items from a fallen player's inventory.
- The game features adjusted mechanics, including bloodstains revealing lootable items, surprising enemy variety, and 8 playable classes.
Elden Ring Nightreign brings back the classic bloodstain mechanic, though it offers players a source of valuable loot for interacting with them instead of a glimpse of another player's death. One of the bigger surprise announcements during The Game Awards was From Software's latest title, Elden Ring Nightreign.
Following the reveal, even more information has continued to come out, giving fans a better idea of just how different Elden Ring Nightreign will feel when compared to its predecessor. In addition to a major shift in how the game plays, some mechanics like bloodstains have also been adjusted. Present in most previous From Software games, including the Dark Souls series, bloodstains showcase where players have died. For those online, they can see the final 5 seconds of where another player died, giving clues to a tough fight or perhaps a hidden enemy encounter.
Elden Ring Nightreign Makes Bloodstains More Useful
While gaining knowledge is a good way to help progress in these Souls games, Elden Ring Nightreign aims to make bloodstains even more useful. Considering that Elden Ring Nightreign is a much faster game, touching bloodstains now not only reveal how an online player died, but loot items and gear from their inventory. Through this system, there's a chance that players will find incredibly helpful loot, including boss gear, from runs that are completely different from the one the players are currently on.
In addition to the seamless co-op element, Elden Ring Nightreign also features surprising enemy variety as the debut trailer seemingly confirmed bosses from past From Software games like Dark Souls 3. Already, players have picked out a number of enemies and bosses, like Knights of Zamor, Soldiers of Godrick, the Nameless King, and the Centipede Demon to name a few. With 8 classes to play and 3 in-game days to get to the final boss, it's clear that Elden Ring Nightreign will certainly feature high amounts of replayability.
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 80 /100 Critics Rec: 77%
- Released
- May 30, 2025
- Developer(s)
- From Software
- Publisher(s)
- Bandai Namco Entertainment, From Software
WHERE TO PLAY
"ELDEN RING NIGHTREIGN is a standalone adventure within the ELDEN RING universe, crafted to offer players a new gaming experience by reimagining the game’s core design.
Join forces with other players to take on the creeping night and the dangers within featuring 3-player co-op.
Take command of uniquely skilled heroes, each possessing their own abilities and distinct flair.
While individually formidable, their skills create powerful synergies when they unite as a team.
Overcome a relentless environmental threat that sweeps through a land that changes between each game session and defeat the magnificent boss of that night!"
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op
- Number of Players
- 1-3
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Unknown
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Soulslike, Roguelite
